Domestic abuse has many forms and includes controlling, coercive (behaviour such as threats, humiliation and intimidation), threatening or violent behaviour by a partner, ex-partner, family member or carer.
It’s important to know that you’re not alone and help and support is available, including:-
Online Safety
Knowsley Council has a ‘quick exit’ button on all Knowsley News articles that share information on available domestic abuse support and advice. This offers victim/survivors the opportunity to quickly leave the webpage they’re looking at, taking them straight to Google with no way of pressing the ‘back button’ to see the previous website they were on
Ask for ANI (Action Needed Immediately)
Victims of domestic abuse can access support from thousands of pharmacies across the UK though the Ask for ANI scheme. The Ask for ANI (Action Needed Immediately) scheme allows those at risk or experiencing abuse to discreetly signal that they need help to access support. By asking for ANI, a trained pharmacy worker will offer a private space where they can understand if the victim needs to speak to the police or would like help to access support services such as a national or local domestic abuse helplines.
999 Silent Solution from a mobile phone
If you’re experiencing domestic abuse, need the police but can’t speak, then:-
- Dial 999
- Listen to the questions from the 999 operator
- Respond by coughing or tapping the handset if you can
- If you don’t speak, press 55 when prompted and your call will be transferred to the police.
Other support
In an emergency please call 999, otherwise please contact:
Knowsley Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub
Tel: 0151 443 2600
Knowsley Early Help Hub
Freephone helpline on 0800 073 0043 and ask for your information to be passed onto the Early Help Hub and one of our staff will call you back.
The First Step (Specialist Domestic Abuse Service)
Tel: 0151 548 3333
Website: www.thefirststep.org.uk
Further support is also offered by these national agencies:
victimcaremerseyside.org (directory of services)
Women’s Aid | womensaid.org.uk | https://www.womensaid.org.uk/information-support/
National Domestic Violence Helpline: 0808 2000 247 (24 hours).
Worst Kept Secret Helpline: 0800 028 3398.
Refuge (includes information for men) | refuge.org.uk | 0808 200 0247 (24 hours)
The Men’s Advice Line, for male domestic abuse survivors – 0808 801 0327.
National LGBT+ Domestic Abuse Helpline – 0800 999 5428.
Samaritans (24/7 service) – 116 123.
RASASC – Rape and Sexual Abuse Centre – National phone line 0330 363 0063 & Knowsley phone line Knowsley 0151 218 7960